<< I have been hired to teach a one-semester New York State history course

Any suggestions?>>

Dear Tom Baker

Authors such as Carl Carmer and Walter Edmonds are
  great choices. I think the ideal text would be
"The Tavern Lamps Are Burning - Literary Journeys
Through Six Regions and Four Centuries of New York
State" ($19.95 Fordham) edited by Carl Carmer. If
not (also) as a text, this book would certainly be
an excellent reference for any instructor.

Good luck with the course.
Richard

--
Richard Frisbie
dba Hope Farm Press & Bookshop
http://www.hopefarm.com/sampl03.htm